Plumb-level.



W. H. MoKEBN.

PLUMB LEVEL.

APPLICATION FILED mm: 19, 1908.

2 BHEETS SHEET 1.

Patented 0613'. 20, 1908.

w. H. McKEEN.

PLUMB LEVEL.

LPPLIOATIOK FILED JUNE 19, 1808.

901,727. Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

2 EET 2.

WITNESSES: NVENTOR WILLIAMH. MCKEEN, OF BRAWLEY, CALIFORNIA.

PLUMB-LEVEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

Application filed June 19, 1908. Serial No. 439,361.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lViLLIAM H. MOKEEN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brawley, in the county of Imperial and State of California, have invented a new and Improved Plumb-Level, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to plumb levels of the pendulum type, and has for its object to provide novel details of construction for a device of the type indicated, which will with great accuracy, determine if a surface whereon it is applied is level, show the degree of inclination from a horizontal plane if not level, and also afford exact means for ascertaining if a surface is plumb, and if inclined indicate the degree of inclination from a vertical plane.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, as is hereinafter described and defined in the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompany ing drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side view of the improved plumb level; Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of the same, the end portions of the stock being broken away; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view, substantially on the line 33 in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional plan view of the details, substantially on the line -l4c in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view, substantially on the line 55 in Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a similar View to Fig. 5, but showing the parts differently adjusted; and Fig. 7 is a reduced plan view of the level, seen in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 5.

An elongated, rectangular stock 10, formed of wood, metal or both materials, is provided as usual for this class of indicating instruments, and at the center of the stock, a lateral circular opening is formed that is encircled by a ring-like wall 10, which may be integral with the stock and receives and supports in operative positions the details of the device.

In the circular opening, defined by the circular wall 10*, a cylindrical casing is inserted and secured, which consists of a circular peripheral wall 11 and two side walls a, Z), these circularly-edged walls being in service dial plates, and one dial plate I) is removable to permit the introduction of other parts within the casing; and as shown in Fig. 3, an annular space 0 is afforded between the wall ll and the outer wall 10 for a purpose that will be hereinafter explained. An axially-bored hub b is centrally formed on the dial plate 7), the exterior of the hub being a true cylinder.

A cylindrical shell d is loosely fitted into the casing 11, and in said shell, a segmental gravity block cl is formed or secured, which is defined laterally by the side walls that converge toward said center and merge into an integral sleeve (Z which is bored transversely of the gravity block and receives in said bore the cylindrical hub Z) whereon it is loosely fitted, whereby the shell cl and gravity block d are rockably mounted upon the stationary casing wall or dial plate 6.

Upon the outer surfaces of each dial plate a, b, a scale is marked in circular order with the scale graduations e, as is shown for one dial in Figs. 1 and 2.

A cylindrical shaft g is rockably mounted in the axial bore of the hub b and projects slightly outside of the dial plates 64, b, at the respective ends thereof, and on said ends, index hands it, i, are respectively secured, projecting in the same Vertical plane, but free to receive lateral rocking movement. Directly above the shaft 9, two depending arms m are formed or secured on the shell (Z, and between said arms, the ends of a short rock shaft m are journaled, as shown in Fig.3.

From the rock shaft m, a hanger rod m extends downward, and at its lower end, is

affixed upon the angular upper portion of a pendulum block m that is substantially triangular but is convexed on the lower edge thereof, which is disposed near the bottom wall of the shell 03 that is extended from the lower edge ofthe block cl toward the dial plate a.

An opening a is formed in the hanger rod m a short distance above its point of junction with the upper angle of the pendulum block m and the shaft 9 passes through said opening having clearance therefrom that permits the pendulum block to be ad justed laterally a limited distance.

There is a short arm 0 projected downward from the shaft 9 from which alwrist pin 0 projects laterally, and in the same plane therewith normally, a rock arm p is pivot ally supported near its lower end upon the pendulum block m the upper end of said rock arm having a fork 7} thereon, the spaced limbs of which receive the pin 0 between them. Upon the lower end of the rock arm 9, a transverse, rounded enlargement p is'formed or secured, which is positioned between two abutments 39 that are projected upward from the shell cl atsuch points as will cause the index hands It, 2', to indicate at zero on the scales 6 when the stock 10 is seated upon a level surface or is otherwise disposed in a horizontal plane.

An opening of sufficient length is formed in the stock 10 for the exposure of a scale 1" that is formed on the circular, peripheral wall of the shell d, and as shown in Figs, 3 and 7, the index hand it is bent so, as to project a finger h across the scale 1" for indicating thereon.

As represented in Fig. 6, if the stock 10 is placed upon a surface that is not level, the pendulum block wa will correspondingly change its position, which will rock the arm p, which by its loose connection at the upper end thereof with the wrist pin 0 on the depending arm 0, will move the index hands over the scales 6 and 1", thus indicating the degree of inclination from a horizontal plane given to the level.

It will be noted that the provision of the laterally bent finger on the index hand it and the scale 7" on theperipheral wall of the shell (Z is very advantageous, as it provides an additional place for observation, that may be inspected in some situations where the sides of the dials and scales thereon cannot be seen.

In the circular aperture formed in the level stock 10 for the reception of the indicating mechanism, a transparent shield or hoop 12 is inserted, that has clearance from the easing walls and serves to protect the scale 1", and at each side of the stock, a transparent disk 12 is secured, which covers the dial plates a, b, from which the disks are spaced, so as to permit a free movement of the index hands h, i.

Upon the dialv plates, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, four points x, 00, w, 00, are plainly marked on the scales 6, the points that are designated by the characters w, :0, represent ing a vertical plane that is at right angles with either working face of the stock 10. The points m, m, are disposed in a plane exactly parallel with the working faces of the stock 10 when the points as, 50, are arranged in a vertical plane, as is indicated in Fig. 2. i

For the proper operation of the device, either as a plumb or level indicator, it is essential that means be provided for holding the shell (Z and dial plates thereon so that the scales will be properly positioned for indicating either a plumb or level surface with the instrument. The means for effecting this result shown best in Fig. 4: and consists of the following details. In the shell. (Z, similar conical indents s are formed, one directly opposite each point :0, m. From the circular wall 10 of the stock, a bracket block a is outwardly extended, and in the body thereof, a longitudinal socket to is formed, the center of its bore being disposed parallel with the working faces of the stock 10. In the stock ring 10 and stationary casing 11, opposite the socket perforation a circular openings are formed, with which the indents .9 may be caused to successively register upon turning the shell (Z on the hub b; In the socket u, a suitably shaped de-' tent pin a is slidably fitted, having one end thereof cone-tapered, said end being disposed in the perforations in the stock ring 10 and casing 11.

A spring a is located in the socket u between its end wall and the flat end of the detent pin a, said spring pressing the conical point of the detent pin 14 upon the shell cl so that it will enter either of the indents s that may be brought opposite it by a rotatable adjustment of the shell d. A transverse slot o is formed in the body of the detent pin a near its flat end that is engaged by the spring u, and as shown at 'v in Fig. 4, the end wall of said slot, that is nearest to the spring, is sloped forwardly and across the slot.

Ina suitable recess formed laterally in the bracket block a, and a concentric perforation that connects said recess with the socket perforation a, a push button a and shank v thereon are respectively secured loosely, so that the button head 41 may be readily pressed upon. The inner end of the shank o is sloped so as to fit upon the sloped end wall o of the slot 21, and it will be obvious that pressure applied upon the push button or head 0 will slide the detent pin 10 toward and against the expansive force of the spring u It will be seen that if the shell (Z is turned so that the points a", 00, are disposed vertic-ally, the indent s, that is opposite the point 92 at the right of Fig. 2, will be dis- ;osed exactly opposite the cone point of the detent pin a so that said pin will, by spring pressure, embed its point in said conical intent 8, this adjustment being represented in Fig. 4c. i

The scales 0 on the dial plates (0, Z), as well as the scale r. on the peripheral wall of the shell cl, increase in value each side of the zero marks thereon, and as the zero marks.

on the scales indicate a level surface, that the working face of the stock 10 has contact with when the hands 72, h, i, register with said zero marks, it will be evident that any deviation from a horizontal plane possessed by the surface tested by the level device, will ingly turn the hanger rod m and pendulum block m and hands It, 2', so that said hands will register on the scales 6, having their zero marks now disposed on the plane indicated by w, as, said plane now being parallel with the working faces on the level stock 10.,

It will be apparent that if the detent pin a is now engaged with the indent s, that has been disposed opposite it, the instrument will be converted into a plumb indicator, and will exactly indicate any deviations from a vertical plane possessed by the surfaces upon which the stock 10 may be applied to, these deviations being shown on the scales 6, e, by the index hands 72., 2'.

To correct any slight inaccuracies that may be found, which might occur due to looseness between the working parts, and that would prevent the index hands from exactly registering with the Zero marks, a small counterbalance weight block w is mounted upon a screw-threaded carrier rod w, that is held by its ends in a recess 10 formed in the pendulum block m".

When the device is correct in its adjusts ments, before the wear of parts disarranges it slightly, the counterbalance weight block w will be disposed on the carrier rod w so that the center of said block will be in the same vertical plane with the index hands when they are at Zero on the scales. If, 011 testing the device as a level, it is found that the points of the hands are not exactly opposite the zero marks when the level stock is seated upon a surface that is known to be horizontal, then by shifting the block to 011 the carrier rod, this will slightly change the center of gravity of the pendulum block, so that the rock arm 79 will be rocked in accord with the adjustment of the weight block w and restore the hands to correct adjustment.

As the indications of deviations from a horizontal or vertical plane require but a limited lateral, swinging movement of the pendulum block m it has been found advantageous to provide means for checking an excessive movement of the pendulum block, and to this end, a short slot l is formed therein, which receives a stud y that projects from the gravity block d, as shown in Figs.

5 and 6, the lateral swinging movement of the pendulum block being limited by the impingement of the stud upon either end of the slot.

Slight changes may be made in the con struction, proportion and design of the details of the improvement without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and I claim all such minor changes as fall within the manifest scope of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. A plumb level, embodying a stock, a circular casing therein, a shell having a gravity block thereon and hung rotatably in the easing, a pendulum hung from the shell, and indicating devices controlled by the pendulum.

2. A plumb level, embodying a stock, a circular casing stationary therein, a hollow hub on the casing, a circular shell mounted on the hub, a gravity block on the shell, dial plates on the sides of the casing, a shaft rockable in the hub, index hands on the ends of the shaft that indicate on the scales of the dial plates, a pendulum hung in the shell, and means connecting the pendulum with the shaft for moving the hands in accord with the swing of the pendulum.

A plumb level, embodying a stock, a circular casing stationary therein, a hollow hub central on a side wall of the casing and extended therein, a. shaft in the hub, index hands on the shaft, end walls of the casing having scales whereon the hands indicate, a circular shell having a gravity block at one side therein, said block having a rockable engagement with the hub, a pendulum block hung by a rod thereon from the inner side of the shell and rockable thereon, a rock arm pivoted on a side of the pendulum block and at one end loosely connected with the shell, an arm projecting from the shaft, and a fork on the rock arm at its opposite end and loosely engaging a lateral pin on the arm.

4L. In a plumb level of the character described, in combination, a stock, having an opening in its working faces, a circular casing stationary in the stock and having a scale on its periphery exposed to view through said opening, dial plates having scales there on and forming sides of the casing, an axially perforated hub projected inward from and central on one dial plate, a shaft rotatably located in the perforated hub, and index hands on the ends of said shaft, that indicate on the dial plates, one of said hands having a lateral finger on its end that is adapted for indicating on the scale marked on the peripheral wall of the shell.

5. In a plumb level of the character described, in combination, a stock, a casing therein, a hollow cylindrical hub on one side wall of the casing and projecting thereinto, a scale formed on the outer side of said wall, a shell having a gravity block therein at one side of the center, said block having a lateral bore therein, which receives the hub, where by the shell is mounted rotatably in the casl casing in the stock, the sides of said casing, a shaft rockable in the, hub, an index hand on one end of said shaft for indicating on the scale, said scale and hand at zero indicating a level position for the stock, and means for holding the shell turned on the hub, so as to adapt the hand and scale to indicate when the stock is vertically disposed.

6. In a plumb level of the character described, in. combination, a stock, a circular casing stationary in the stock, a shell hung rockably in the stock, a transverse shaft centrally and rotatably mounted on the casing, dial plates having scales thereon and forming the sides of the casing, index hands on the ends of the shaft that indicate on the scales, and means connected with the shaft and positioned within the shell which control the movement of the index hands in accord with the change. in the plane occupied by the Working face of the stock.

7. In a plumb level of the character described, in combination, a stock, a stationary cylindrical casing, dial plates having scales thereon and forming the side walls of said casing, an axially perforated hub projected inward and centrally from one dial plate, a shaft rockable in the hub, hands on the ends of the shaft and indicating on the scales, a circularly walled shell having a gravity block at one side therein, said block having a lateral bore therein which receives the hub, the shell having four equidistant indents in its exterior surface, a bracket block on the stock having a socket perforation therein, a spring-pressed detent pin, slidable in the socket perforation, and means for retracting the detent pin that normally engages one of the indents.

8. In a plumb level of the character described, in combination, a stock, a cylindrical ing having scales thereon, a cylindrical hub on one side of the casing projected inward, a circularly walled shell having a gravity block therein at one side of the center of said shell, a shaft rockable in the hub, index hands on the ends of the shaft indicating on the scales, a pendent pendulum block hung from the inner side of the shell at one side of the gravity block, spaced abutment arms on the shell at the outer edge of the pendulum block, a rock arm pivoted on the pendulum block and having an enlargement on its adja cent end that is loosely inserted between said abutment arms, an arm having a lateral pin thereon and projected from the shaft, and a fork on the other end of the rock arm which loosely embraces the pin.

9. In a plumb level, a stock, a casing therein, a turnable shell, a rotatable shaft, hands thereon, a pendent pendulum block, and means connecting the shaft and block, adapted for moving said shaft and hands in accord with an inclination given to the stock.

10. In a plumb level, a stock, a casing therein, a turnable shell in the casing, means for holding said shell from turning, a rotatable shaft, hands thereon, a pendent pendulum block in the shell, and means connecting the shaft and block adapted for moving the shaft and hands in accord with the inclination of the stock from a horizontal or vertical plane.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribmg wltnesses.

WILLIAM H. MGKEEN.

IVitnesses:

FRANK M. CHURCH,

G. G. BALL. 

